The best desktop operating system

[whs]

For desktop users Mint is better than Windows 8 and other new operating systems, such as Fedora 18 with GNOME 3.6, but it doesn't knock the socks off older WIMP-based desktops. It's just much better for experienced desktop users than the newer, user-hostile desktop interfaces as such as Windows 8's Metro.

Mint 15: Today's best Linux desktop (Review) | ZDNet

So, if you were to tell me today that you want a new desktop that works like your old XP Windows 7, or Ubuntu GNOME 2.x desktop, Mint 15 is what I would recommend. Yes, if you have Windows programs that won't on Linux, or Mac OS X, then you may need to stick with Windows, but for experienced computer users, Mint 15 is now the best desktop operating system out there.

 

[Stephanie]

Linux Mint is nice to use, better then Ubuntu in my opinion, Linux Mint 15 “Olivia” RC is out now

 

[Indianatone]

For desktop users Mint is better than Windows 8 and other new operating systems, such as Fedora 18 with GNOME 3.6, but it doesn't knock the socks off older WIMP-based desktops. It's just much better for experienced desktop users than the newer, user-hostile desktop interfaces as such as Windows 8's Metro.

Mint 15: Today's best Linux desktop (Review) | ZDNet

So, if you were to tell me today that you want a new desktop that works like your old XP Windows 7, or Ubuntu GNOME 2.x desktop, Mint 15 is what I would recommend. Yes, if you have Windows programs that won't on Linux, or Mac OS X, then you may need to stick with Windows, but for experienced computer users, Mint 15 is now the best desktop operating system out there.

I absolutely second this WHS and agree with you entirely. M$ had better watch out. Old XP machines could be used with Mint and they would be secure, fast and have plenty of programs for the casual user...email, facebook, surfing, mp3's etc. Instead of dumping them put Mint on them and use them. The serious user is not forgotten either.

 

[smarteyeball]

Come up with a viable DirectX emulation, really Kickstart OpenGl or a better replacement for linux and watch Windows usage drop dramatically.

With a mass exodus, manufacturers, developers etc would step up support and make linux as polished as Windows.


Still, using Metro for desktop as an argument is moot. I'm on 8 and have nothing to do with metro. I use 8 like 7. Simple 3rd party apps removed that as a concern.

 

[whs]

I am using Linux Mint as is and have absolutely no complaints. It is a very user friendly OS and easy to customize.

 

[Golden]

Zorin!

 

[whs]

Zorin!

I like Zorin too. But it is more restrictive than Mint and also still quite buggy. For an allround OS with a lot of function and setup options I prefer Mint Mate.

 

[Kari]

For desktop users Mint is better than Windows 8 and other new operating systems, such as Fedora 18 with GNOME 3.6, but it doesn't knock the socks off older WIMP-based desktops. It's just much better for experienced desktop users than the newer, user-hostile desktop interfaces as such as Windows 8's Metro.

I am daily reminded of me belonging to a minority .

A funny coinsidence, a minute or two before reading this I posted something exactly opposite on Eight Forums:

I have never been a fan of touch screens, except when using a tablet.

All my laptops and desktops both home and at work have Windows 8, none of them having a touch screen as I like my displays to be about 80 cm (1.6 feet) from my eyes making a touch screen impractical.

One reason why I like windows 8 is the Start Screen and its flexibility. It is so extremely easy and fast to use with a scroll wheel mouse; no longer do I have to click and click and click through folder hierarchy in Start Menu to find what I need, now everything I need to access is there in a wink of an eye and one click.

If the 8.1 a.k.a Blue has a Windows 7 style Start button and menu, it will be the first feature in Windows 8 I would like to disable as totally useless.

(Desktop Users Recommended to Wait for Windows Blue Before)

Although accepting the different opinions I really have difficulties to understand what makes Start Screen and Windows Apps so unpleasant for some other users.

Kari

 

[Lee]

Mac OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.3, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Linux Suse 13.04, and Windows 8. . .

 

[FuturDreamz]

get off my lawn, you fruity penguin loving whippersnappers!